Gov’t may further ease ‘backride’ or pillion riding policy

The back riding shield prototype recommended by Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap was adopted by the National Task Force against COVID-19. —LEO UDTOHAN

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s task force against coronavirus disease 2019 may eventually allow other family members to pillion ride with motorcycle drivers, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Friday.

“Well, hindi pa yan pinayagan ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) dun pa rin tayo sa couple pa rin. Siguro, unti unti, hinay hinay lang. Mas madali kasing mapatunayan yung couple kaysa dun sa hindi couple,” Año, vice chair of IATF, said in an interview on Unang Balita/

(The IATF did not allow that yet, only couples re allowed on pillion rides. Maybe, we will eventually allow the same for other family members.)

“Dadating din siguro tayo diyan kapag medyo gumaganda yung numero sa cases natin,” he added.

(We will eventually allow it, if the the number of our COVID-19 cases decrease.)

The IATF allowed pillion riding on motorcycles for couples starting this Friday, July 10.

The government also approved a design of Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap –  a divider .barrier with handle between motorcycle driver and passenger.

Año said the National Task Force against COVID-19 is still reviewing the motorcycle prototype of transport group Angkas where the barrier is attached to the motorcycle driver’s vest.

“Kung ma-approve yung kay (Angkas Transport’s) Mr. (George)  Royeca, pwede rin magamit yun kasi may barrier din yun. Wala ka nang ilalagay sa motor mo, kailangan mo lang, bibili ka ng vest na may barrier shield,” he said.

(If the proposal of George Royeca is  approved, we can use that as well because it has a barrier. They don’t have to modify their motorcycle, they just need to have a vest with a barrier shield.)

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